The Student Room Group

Will Graphic Design preclude me from an academic career?

Is it considered too vocational?

I got A* in most of my GCSEs (not to brag, I'm sure most of TSR similar) so I'm as academic as I am artistic.

My dream job is a graphic designer.

My worry is that if I take Graphic Design at uni and this doesn't work out, for whatever reason, could I still get on graduate schemes for normally academic students?

For example, for charities/NGOs or ThinkTanks/Consultancy.

My other areas of interest are politics and modern foreign languages.

I feel were I to take Graphic Design, I would totally separate myself from those fields.

Is that quite accurate?

Feedback appreciated!
Reply 1
Original post by J_89
Is it considered too vocational?

I got A* in most of my GCSEs (not to brag, I'm sure most of TSR similar) so I'm as academic as I am artistic.

My dream job is a graphic designer.

My worry is that if I take Graphic Design at uni and this doesn't work out, for whatever reason, could I still get on graduate schemes for normally academic students?

For example, for charities/NGOs or ThinkTanks/Consultancy.

My other areas of interest are politics and modern foreign languages.

I feel were I to take Graphic Design, I would totally separate myself from those fields.

Is that quite accurate?

Feedback appreciated!


UP! :smile:
Original post by J_89
Is it considered too vocational?

I got A* in most of my GCSEs (not to brag, I'm sure most of TSR similar) so I'm as academic as I am artistic.

My dream job is a graphic designer.

My worry is that if I take Graphic Design at uni and this doesn't work out, for whatever reason, could I still get on graduate schemes for normally academic students?

For example, for charities/NGOs or ThinkTanks/Consultancy.

My other areas of interest are politics and modern foreign languages.

I feel were I to take Graphic Design, I would totally separate myself from those fields.

Is that quite accurate?

Feedback appreciated!


Unfortunately, I would think so. Considering you're academic and artistic, have you considering architecture or engineering?
Reply 3
It's always easier to go from an academic degree to learning a vocational skill than the opposite.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 4
Contrary to other opinions in this thread, I say it's very possible.
https://frieze.com/article/what-metahaven

http://www.dunneandraby.co.uk/content/home

There is a lot of extremely research-led practise in graphic design, and depending on the course, you could find yourself doing less or more of this. It's also something that at higher educational level, say Masters, can be extremely academic.
Original post by thnwblck
Contrary to other opinions in this thread, I say it's very possible.
https://frieze.com/article/what-metahaven

http://www.dunneandraby.co.uk/content/home

There is a lot of extremely research-led practise in graphic design, and depending on the course, you could find yourself doing less or more of this. It's also something that at higher educational level, say Masters, can be extremely academic.


THIS

Original post by J_89
Is it considered too vocational?

I got A* in most of my GCSEs (not to brag, I'm sure most of TSR similar) so I'm as academic as I am artistic.

My dream job is a graphic designer.

My worry is that if I take Graphic Design at uni and this doesn't work out, for whatever reason, could I still get on graduate schemes for normally academic students?

For example, for charities/NGOs or ThinkTanks/Consultancy.

My other areas of interest are politics and modern foreign languages.

I feel were I to take Graphic Design, I would totally separate myself from those fields.

Is that quite accurate?

Feedback appreciated!


12% of creative arts& design graduates go into professional occupations or managerial roles (ie traditional graduate training jobs) - a GD degree wont exclude you from standard graduate roles if that's what you'd like to do. But you'll also have a portfolio and skills to allow you to take up a specialist creative career as well.
Reply 6
I think it's possible!

I have a Graphic Design degree, but now I want to study to become a speech and language therapist. I'm taking the Maters route!

To be honest, I needed a degree (2.1) to be considered onto the Masters Course, they didn't care what my first degree was in.

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